Rahul Dravid backed me ahead of Test debut: Mayank Agarwal
Indian opener Mayank Agarwal highlighted the impact of Rahul Dravid's priceless advice on his international career. In a conversation with commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, Mayank described how the Indian legend consoled him for not making it to the national squad. The right-handed batsman revealed he was concerned about selection even after scoring truckload of runs in domestic circuit. Here is more.
"I was getting runs in domestic cricket. I had a word with Rahul bhai. I told him I was getting thoughts of sometimes not getting picked. I very clearly remember him telling me 'Mayank these are the things that are in your hands'," said Mayank.
In the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season, Mayank Agarwal hammered a spell-binding triple hundred against Maharashtra. He finished the season as the leading run-scorer with 1,160 runs at an astronomical average of 105.45. Soon after, Mayank made his international debut in the 2018 Boxing Day Test Down Under. He straightaway impressed the team management, having scored 76 in his maiden Test innings.
Having represented Team India in 11 Tests so far, Mayank has racked up 974 runs at 57.29. The tally includes 3 tons and 4 fifties. In 2019, the right-hander slammed two double tons against South Africa and Bangladesh respectively.
Mayank recalled the advice Rahul Dravid game him prior to his international debut. "He put forth few things - 'Coming October and November is not going to be different from September. If you think otherwise you will get into a negative frame. It's you who is going to lose out'. So I remembered that talk and that kept me going," he concluded.
